Sunday, 12 June 2011

Why Did I Say That?!?!?!

I have been to many countries and been asked many questions by border guards many times about why I am visiting their country. As a genuine visitor, those questions are always easy to answer.

Until yesterday.

It was a chilly Saturday morning and I was in line with many other vehicles to cross a border where there are strict controls. I was on a rented motorbike and I was looking forward to meeting a fellow Blogger whose blog I had been reading for some time.

I didn’t give it a second thought as I knew crossing this border would be easy. The queue was moving relatively quickly as I sat there, occasionally firing the engine of the bike to life to roll the bike forward whenever a gap of a few car lengths had developed.

Eventually, the car in front of me drove away from the booth and it was my turn. I hit the kill switch on the bike as I drew level with the window and handed over my passport. The immigration guy looked at me, my bright red shiny bike and no doubt my helmet. I was wearing the sparkly and somewhat garish Union Jack Flag helmet that I had worn when I crossed the USA on my bike last year. I think it looks good, but I can understand if some think it a little over-the-top.

The immigration guy started to ask his questions....

How long would I be in his country? 2 days.Had I been to his country before? Yes.Was the visit for business or pleasure? Pleasure.What did I do for work? I am retired.Is this your own bike? No, I rented it.

All standard stuff. That was, until he asked his next question, which of course I answered with the truth....

And what are you going to do here during those 2 days?

I wish I had thought more about the answer beforehand....

I am going to meet a guy I met on the Internet.
In hindsight, I realise that wasn’t the best of answers. I felt stupid and it probably showed in my face. Why did I say that?!?!?

It was a dumb thing to say as it immediately led to more questions, the first of which was something like “Can you please explain that some more”.

The hole I was digging for myself got deeper....

I write about my travels on the internet and the guy I am going to meet does the same, and we thought it would be nice to meet each other.
As I said that, I just knew it sounded so wrong. I was now flustered and felt awkward at my honest, but odd answers.

The questions continued for some time, but after typing something into his computer, eventually he did let me into his country....

Funny! It's like you get these brain cramps every so often when you speak first and think later. And there's never an easy way to get out of it.But then again, if you hadn't been wearing that helmet....

That is too funny, good thing he didn't pull you aside for a "secondary".My dad was a Canadian customs guard and told us to always look them in the eye and answer with yes or no answers; they like to mess with you to trip you up. I agree with Charlie6, you probably made the "training" video.

A lot of US citizens I know, and world travelers all of them, are getting sick and tired of responding to prying border guards. It is with frayed restraint that many are on the verge of responding, "What business is it of yours," to these guards. Of course, anyone who makes that styatement will almost certainly find out.

On a serious note - no sweat obviously at that particular crossing, but not so funny when crossing borders in a few countries where human rights are not on a par with those of most developed countries and you could be persecuted for such. Cheers, nick.

Oh Dear! Maybe he'll just forget that one Gary. I think you'll probaby come up with something better next time. hahahaha! I crossed into Canada, years ago, to see a hot air balloon show with my kids when I lived up north. I had never crossed the border before. On the way home the guard asked me "Do you have anything to declare?" I had no idea what that meant and looked at him funny and said, "We had a really good time!?!" He looked at me, chuckled, and let me go home!

Jack – I think you are partly right. The number and type of questions I am asked when I fly into the US is considerably less than the rare occasions I have ridden or driven into the country. It seems they want to find out more about you if in/on a vehicle and I was surprised at the questions I was asked. As a foreigner, I would have expected that though but I can see how annoying it would be if I was asked those same questions when re-entering my own country.

Trobairitz – I am pleased I can laugh about it now.

Kiwionabike – A very valid point. I wouldn’t have wanted to have made that mistake at some borders where it might have seen me thrown in jail.

Eve – Yes, I will think more about my answers next time. That was a funny response you gave to the border guard and I can see why you said it. LOL.

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What is this blog about?

This blog was originally started to record a five month, 21000 mile tour of the US on my Harley-Davidson. I continue to use this blog to record my own motorcycling adventures, wherever they may be, along with my thoughts and opinions about motorcycling generally.

About Me

Having devoted most of my adult life to being a ‘company man’, the transition to the next phase of my life away from the construction industry was always going to include some challenges. Planning and then making my dream trip to explore America on my Harley-Davidson proved to be the ideal vehicle for clearing my mind of old ways of thinking and being. I rode 21,475 miles, in 27 US states in four-and-a-half months.
My motorcycling trips have continued, with journeys across much of Europe, New Zealand, North Africa and Cuba.
A few years ago, I set up and now run Tour1, which takes riders on Harley-Davidson Authorised tours across Europe. See www.tour1.co.uk.
I live just north of London in the UK.

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US Tour - My Favourites Places I Went To....

It is difficult to choose, but here is my list of the highlights of my US tour, in the order I saw them in....